WARDEN'S COURT, GREYMOUTH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1048, 5 December 1871, Page 2

WARDEN'S COURT, GREYMOUTH.

Monday, December .4, (Before : Mr Warden Revell.)

Brbagh of the County of Wjbstland' Gold Fields Rules and Regulations. — Hugh Barnhill was charged with fraudu-" lently using a business license. Sergeant Moller stated that lie called at defendant's house on the South Beach, and- asked to see his business license. Defendant showed him one, and he marked down the number and date, but he did not notice whose name it was in, supposing from defendant's explanation that it was all right. It was No. 1176, and dated the 24th October, and was issued for, three months. On the 28th ultimo, he was compiling the licenses, and found that No. 1176 was issued to Robert Keown, and, on, looking over the register he found that defendant's name was not there. BarnhilFs publicans' license commenced on the Bth October. He served a summons on Barnhill on the 29fch ultimo, when he told witness that he gave the money to Mr Kerwn to have the license taken out in his (Barnhill's) name, and ordered him to send it out to him. Witness called upon Mr Keown, and from what he told him he did not think proper to withdraw the charge. Mr Tom Kenrick, receiver of revenue, stated that Mr Barnhill took out a business license, No. 2577, on the Ist September, 1871. His previous license expired on the 27th October, 1 871. Robert Keown took out a yearly license on the 21st October, and a quarterly, business licenses No. 1176, on the 24th. He gave the name of Robert Keown. This closed the case for the prosecution. The defendant said he gave Mr Robt. Keown L 2 on thn 24th October to take out a quarterly business license, which he did and sent it out to hiini He called Robt. Keown, who stated that about six weeks or two months sinse defendant gave him L 2 to lake out 'a business license for him, whioh he did, and sent out to him. By Sub-inspector .Hickson : Sergeant Moller called ; ou him on the 29th lilt, and asked him if he had taken out a license. He told the sergeant: that Barnhill did not give him any money to do so. He held one business license and one publican's license. He told the sergeant that he held two business licenses, but that he did not know what he was going to do with both of them. By the Warden: Barnhill gave him the in oney to- take out the business license. He thought that Barnhill wanted him to take it cut in his witness's name, as he was in difficulties. He sent the license, to .Barnhill the same day that he took it out. He had misinformed the sergeant, as he did not know what he wanted. Sub-inspector Hickson stated that it was owing to the miastatements made by Keown that the sergeant had takeu the course of action that he had. The Warden commented rather warmly on the case, saying there was> no proof of any fraud having been committed, and Keown's evidence must go in fa vor-of defendant, but he could not divest his mind of the suspicious circumstances surrounding it. The case would be dismissed. Another charge of a similar nature was withdrawn.